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Mobile Quarterbacks Have Seized the Day

By Chris Malumphy

The day of the pure pocket passer has come to an end. Mobile quarterbacks are not the wave of the future, they have already taken over the game. Five of the top seven rushing quarterbacks started games in the 2013 playoffs. The only two immobile quarterbacks among the playoff starters are future Hall of Fame pocket passers Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, who also happen to be the oldest starting quarterbacks in the league. Philip Rivers and Drew Brees are two others who don't carry the ball down field much, but both are mobile enough to keep plays alive in the backfield. When the retirements of Manning and Brady inevitably occur, we may not see the likes of a pure pocket passer again.

The new breed of mobile quarterback is best exemplified by Cam Newton, Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick. Even Alex Smith and Andrew Luck compile significant rushing yards. And that's not to overlook Robert Griffin, who is one year removed from the playoffs, Michael Vick who now plays understudy to Nick Foles, and Geno Smith who may, or may not, have a big future. And the Raiders can only dream of how far their star would rise if Terrelle Pryor could only pass half as well as he runs with the ball.